The scruffy stalk is 2 to 4-3/4 inches long, 5/8 to 1 inch thick. A grayish, membranous veil or skirt covers the pores when they're very young. Its remnants may adorn the mature cap's margin, or wrap the stalk in evanescent rings, or ring zones.

Old Man of the Woods

The bumpy cap makes this mushroom easy to recognize even from a distance.

Look for it from mid-summer to fall under hardwoods or conifers in the eastern half of North America.

Unfortunately, this nonpoisonous mushroom tastes bad when it's young, and gets even worse later on.